Inspired by The Hidden Seed

I've been lacking inspiration lately, but *finally* was struck with some. Elsita at The Hidden Seed has the most beautiful blog. Her outfits, her drawings, and just the whole darn thing are stunning. I hope you check it out.

She had on the prettiest green cardi the other day and it made me realize I could wear my green cardi with things that may not "match" but to wear it as a neutral. I love how this outfit turned out. It pales in comparison to Elsita's outfit, but it's a good try :)

Green cardi: NY&Co.

Printed dress: NY&Co.

Belt: Walmart

Tights: George via Walmart

Shoes: Coach








I visited a DSW shoe store for the first time recently and got a killer deal on these shoes: $45! I can't say no to shoes this cute for that price.

Cute, huh??

One of my favorite things about these is they're identical in texture/color to my Sam Edelman flats so I can interchange these shoes if my feet get sore!

Ally - Target floral flats

The weather has been HOT lately and today was no different. I'm not tropical and can't WAIT for snow. That's right. I said it.

Wrap/tie top: NY&Co.

Green tank: Target

denim pencil skirt: Lands' End

necklace: Sarah Balmer via Scout

flats: Target








Last September I scored these flats for under $6 and I've definitely gotten my money's worth! E at Academichic has the closed-toe version of these. They're so versatile!

I'd say the cost-per-wear of these is below $.25 at this point. What do you have in your closet that you've really gotten your money's worth from??

Just imagine the cost-per-wear you can get out of shoes and other clothes when you buy wholesale clothing. The prices are such much lower when you buy multiple items! 

Tuesday -- Ally & a new 'do

I hope you all had a great weekend! Easter is one of my favorite holidays and it's mostly because I hate casseroles and most Thanksgiving/Christmas food but LOVE ham and chocolate bunnies!

Cardi: Old Navy

Pink tshirt: Target

Pants: Old Navy

Perfect shoes: Cole Haan

Michelle Obama pearls: Walmart

enamel bracelets: Old Navy







While the 'do isn't really new, I did have six inches cut off the length and the bangs shortened. My hair goddess about had a heart attack - said I'm her only bride-to-be who ever asked her to whack off her hair instead of just trimming so it'll be long long long. To me it's just hair. It's been shorter and Al still loves me.

I looooove this cardigan and wish I had it in other colors:


The shoes are delicious. They're insanely comfortable (wore them 11+ hours the first time out of the box) and look great.














I'd love to have another pair in the champagne patent. My Weitzmans are my only bone/taupe shoes and I really would like another pair:


I'm not quite the Coat Collector that Leslie is, but I did need a lighter coat for spring/fall. I'd been eyeballing this coat at Target, but I just wasn't ready to drop $40 on it quite yet. I was at Target a couple of weeks ago shopping for a baby gift and after 20 minutes in the diaper aisle, I had to cleanse the palette and do a little shopping for me. I spotted the coat on the clearance rack for 50% off, in my size, and the last one. I couldn't say no!

They still have it online for $28 and it's absolutely worth it. The lining is adorable (orange with white polka dots!!!!!) and I wish I had snapped a shot. I'll do it soon.















Speaking of wishing, I wish I had bought more of these bracelets when they were cheaper! I bought them in black and green:

Don't forget to enter our giveaway! Last day for comments is Friday, April 17th.

Shoe sale alert!!!

Looks like 6pm.com is having a great deal the Charles by Charles David and Exchange only $19.95

Monday - Ally

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Mine was good. Cold, but good :) I look so tired in today's pic but I promise I'm wide awake! The pic is super dark too...boo!

Purple ruffle cardi: Old Navy

Green lace cami: Old Navy

Brown pants: Old Navy

Green heels: Ralph Lauren

Tan fishnets: TJMaxx

Pearls: gift

I'm a little matchy w/the Old Navy, but whatever. My goodies from the Friends & Family 30% off came in!





Cute, huh??












I'm so in love with these shoes. I saw them on Piperlime a few weeks ago but they weren't on sale. Put them on sale plus another 30% off? I can't resist!










I also picked up one of their canvas pea coats in pink. I wasn't sure how it'd fit, but it turned out great. For $17, I couldn't go wrong!

It looks like they're sold out in most color/sizes, so if you want one, you better hurry. It's not lined and isn't really that warm. However, I'm hot most of the time, even in the winter, so it's perfect for me and my many layers.

Now I need some long gloves so my little arms don't get cold!

Thursday -- Ally

Well, you win some and you lose some. Today's outfit has been the biggest headache. It looks cute enough in this pic, but in practice, it's annoying.
Cardi: NY&Co.

Navy dress: Target

Green lacy top: Target

vintage slip visible at hem: thrifted

Tights: Walmart (can't find a link. They're the George ones. May be instore only)

Boots: Frye

Necklace: no idea





The idea of this was much better than the practice (sorta like how Communism is good on paper but bad in practice). When standing still, the lace edge of the slip at the hem of the dress was cute. However, when I sat then stood, I had to adjust and pull and tug to get everything to hang just right. Then I'd take a step and the dress would jack up in the back. *sigh*

See? It means well. It just doesn't work b/c it bugs me. If you're not comfortable in something, it'll look like crap no matter how cute it really is.

But you know what doesn't bug me? These tights. They're the cheapie $5 ones at Walmart and I like them FAR more than the $6 ones at Target. They're a lot thicker and not as sheer. They're super soft and warm AND the waist band is all wide and doesn't dig. Total winner!



I also don't like this green top with the dress/cardi. I like where I was going with the lace and color contrast, but it just didn't work. I think if the top weren't v-neck it would have gone better.

It also pulled to one side and with all the layers I had going on, I finally just let it go :) It was a balmy 25 this morning when I left so while annoying, the layers were greatly appreciated!




No close up of the boots (sorta forgot!) but these are probably my favorite shoes. I know it's hard to pick a favorite, but these are it. They're comfortable for about eight hours, but after that, not so much. I walked the Seven Hills of Rome in these bad boys, so they're in it for the long haul!

Wednesday -- Ally

Happy Hump Day, y'all! The weather has finally taken a cold turn and I'm thrilled!

Cardi: NY&Co.

Plaid cami: NY&Co.

Pants: Old Navy

Necklace: NY&Co.

Shoes: Liz Claiborne









I bought this necklace at NY&Co a hundred years ago. I have it in black and really love it.

I've worn this outfit before and it's one of my favorite, easy things to wear. I try to mix it up with different accessories.








As you may have read, Value City is closing a lot (or all?) of their stores. They had some good prices on shoes a couple of weeks ago when we stopped by. I scored these for $23!

I love how they're blue but not navy.








How sweet is the little ribbon and bow? LOVE.

Patent leather + silky ribbon = perfection

Monday Funday -- Ally

I hope you all had a great weekend! Mine was relaxing and well-deserved.

Dress: NY&Co.

Cardi: Target

Lace cami: Old Navy

Tights: Target

Shoes: Gabriella Rocha via Zappos outlet

Fancy Jasper Necklace: Sarah Balmer via Scout








I had a belt on with this earlier in the day, but it had to come off because it just wasn't working. Life's too short for feeling all bound and uncomfortable. Well, unless it's really cute shoes :)

The tank is purple and is a nice contrast to the green dress and is one of the colors in the shoes. I wore a teal scarf with this too but it didn't make it in the picture.

Of all my shoes, these are Al's favorite. They're very Indian-inspired and while they're colorful, I have a hard time matching them to an outfit.

I picked these up at the Zappos outlet several years ago for $10. The exterior is silk and they're very comfortable. This picture doesn't even begin to do them justice. They're the most vibrant peacock blue color and the sequins and embroidery really shine and sparkle.

Wednesday -- Ally

I'm having the hardest time finding a good spot for pics now that the sun is changing its position. My previous "new" spot is too dark in the mornings and this spot is too light. *sigh*

Dress: JCP/Worthington (It's on super clearance now - I had to get a size down too, so keep that in mind if you're ordering)

Cardi: NY&Co.

Tights: no idea. They now live in the trash can. More on that in a bit.

Shoes: JCP (Mama got them for $2.94 or something nuts earlier in the summer!)

Bag: Furla *swoon drool*

This is the "real life" picture for the Peanut Gallery (ahem Tracey, Kimberly, and KT!)




Tim Gunn and I are both firm believers in the idea of "Just because it comes in your size doesn't mean you should wear it." I realize I'm not 115 lbs and a size 2. I'm frankly thrilled of that fact, but whatever. I know my limitations when it comes to wearing some things and work around it. For one, I don't look good in white and ivory, so you'll not see me wear it. I look like crap in shorts and short skirts so I don't wear them. I, along with 99% of the population, shouldn't wear low-rise anything, so I don't.

However, some jackass thought it'd be a great idea to make low-rise TIGHTS and I bought them on accident. It never occurred to me to look for that on the package. I saw my size (*cringe*), my color, and ran to the register. Who knew they'd make tights that dissect you in places you didn't even know could be cut into. I pulled and I tugged and I kicked and I stretched and I kicked (you know you love Sally O'Malley!) and I couldn't get the blasted things up over my butt! I finally threw some Spanx over 'em because I was going to be late for work. I made a Walmart run as soon as everyone got to work and swapped those babies for some REAL tights. Tights that come up to my waist like proper tights should. What boggles my mind is this: If it's cold enough outside for tights, would you NEED low-rise pants? Isn't a bare middrift a seasonal thing anyway?

Cute, huh? I love a good deal and I especially love a deal when I don't even have to pay for it! :)

This'll do 'em proud. -- Ally

I know I could (and will) embarrass my parents in a lot of other ways, but I think this is a whopper:

I don't polish my shoes. When I scuff them, I lick my thumb and try to rub it out and if that doesn't work, I color it over w/a Sharpie (I have a rainbow of them in my desk).

It's lazy and you'd think for someone who loves shoes like I do, I'd not be so slovenly. But that's just it - I'm lazy. I'm also REALLY bad with shoe polish and managed to wear it up my leg the last time I tried to polish my shoes myself. There's a reason the last time Daddy was over I gave him a pair of heels and a tin of polish. While I like to think I was doing him a favor (what dad doesn't love polishing shoes?!?!), we all know the truth: I'm spoiled rotten and have never had to polish or shine a shoe in my life.

That is until now.

Thanks to Tracey, I've discovered a new love in my life: KIWI Express Shine Sponge. She pointed out this little beauty to me the other day and said her mom always got her one for Christmas. I didn't really get why it was so fancy (looked like a goofy sponge and a lot of work to me), but filed it in the mental rolodex for later.

I was at Bed, Bath and Beyond earlier today with five 20% off coupons (you know you can use five per transaction, right?) and time to burn. I was looking for a deal and saw the shine sponges on the clearance rack. They only had three left so I nabbed them all. With my coupon, they were only $2.50 each (50% off retail!). I figured I could keep one, give one to Al and the other to Trae because I'm sweet like that.

When I got home I was super excited to see how well they work. Considering the awful condition of my shoes, I figured I'd be in for a long afternoon of work. Hardly! It took more time documenting the process than it took to work a miracle on my shoes. I'm posting some before/afters so you too can be as excited as I am:

My black Enzos were looking haggard but in under 30 seconds each, they were significantly more presentable:

The scuffy toe:










The snarled heel:























Pretty good, huh?? It gets better. I didn't think to do a side-by-side comparison with this pair, but I did with my brown Nine West wedges. These babies get worn to death over the summer and you've all seen them numerous times:

Before/after:














Amazing!

Front/Side:












Side:













Side 2:













Side 3:
















Sorry for the excessive before/after shots but I'm so blown away right now. You can click on any of the photos for a closer look. Just be sure to click "back" so you can come back to the blog.

I'm off to go find every pair of leather shoes in the house! This doesn't mean I won't whine and carry on and have Daddy polish my shoes though. It does mean, however, I won't go in public looking like I was raised by wolves. Mama will be so proud. :)